Why you may want to think twice about getting sushi tonight…

Why you may want to think twice about getting sushi tonight…

You might want to think twice before heading out to your favorite seafood bar.

According to the CDC on foodborne illnesses, vibrio infections – most frequently found in raw or undercooked shellfish – have increased by 75% since the CDC’s previous analysis period, 2006-2008.

That’s about 6,600 cases for every 100,000 people – and for every case that is reported, the CDC estimates there 142 more that aren’t diagnosed.

The microbe that causes vibrio is found naturally in coastal saltwater. It only represents 1% of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the CDC, but that’s still 35,000 cases of food poisoning each year. Vibrio infections are at their highest rate since the CDC started tracking nine foodborne illness-related microorganisms in 1996, according to the new report.

Food poisoning is a big deal. One in every six Americans gets food poisoning every year, with about 100,000 people going to the hospital. Children under the age of 5 and those over 65 are those most at risk.

There were also increases in campylobacter infections, the second most common foodborne pathogen in the United States. Since the 2006-2008 period, there has been a 13% increase in the number of campylobacter cases. The campylobacter bacteria is often linked to dairy products and chicken. For every case reported, the report suggests, another 30 aren’t.